I shared over on the Browns forum that I recently won a trip for two to New Orleans next weekend. I get flight, hotel and tickets for two to see the Browns-Saints game. viewtopic.php?f=1&t=18930

Our flight arrives in NO at 10am Saturday. Gotta be at airport at 4:30AM, but that's cool with me. That gives my college-senior son and I a full day in New Orleans on Saturday. Here's where I need help from some of you well-renowned world-travelers.

I know virtually nothing about New Orleans. What are the MUST-SEE places and restaurants for a one day visit to N.O that you would recommend for a ONE-DAY trip. You are the first folks I am asking. I know we are staying near the French Quarter.

Neither my son nor I are drinkers. But we are certainly good eaters!! And certainly interested in a good sight-seeing trip.

Any help or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!

"The nose of the bulldog has been slanted backwards so that he can breathe without letting go." -- Winston Churchill

For Eating...I like Andersons, near the end of Bourbon near Canal, Acme oyster house is good depending if you like to slurp the little mollusks. They might have crawfish, but it is still too early for them. Sit at the oyster bar for entertainment. Some of the more famous restaurnats like Prudhommes sport some pretty healthy waits. Get some red beans and rice somewhere. I have heard good things about taking the gray line into the Garden district to see the old style southern houses. I also enjoy breakfast at Cafe DuMonde, the beignets are awesome as is the people watching. Bourbon, while entertaining is a drinkers paradise and you may not find that palatable, but again, people watching their is a fascinating. There is music blaring from every street corner, The Famous Door Saloon usually has good stuff. Some of the places are hundreds of years old, like the Olde Absinthe House. Nearly every restaurant down there has great food and the price range can be $ all the way up to $$$$$ and beyond. Don't forget Jackson Square with Saint Louis Cathedral, lots of street performers and vendors. Little shops and restaurants everywhere along Bourbon, Canal, Chartres, Market streets. Some less savory stuff as you begin to move off Bourbon, if it doesn't feel comfortable, then you probably need to retreat. (That's my motto). Stay away from the pain in the ass beggars, try not to make eye contact with street folks and live it up. There is so much more every time I go there we find something new. Laissez lesbon temps roule!!!

I really wouldn't have any plans to do anything - just hang out in the French Qtr and stuff will happen. Plans are too confining.

As far as eats in the French Qtr, Cafe du Monde for beignets in the morning is a must. We also like Palace Cafe for lunch (get the Cochon de lait pot pie). Cafe Maspero's and Acme Oyster House and Redfish Grill are also great, but there's usually a line - maybe go there for dinner? Avoid Tujagues and Emerils and Crescent City Brewhouse.

If you are into dressy, fine dining, the best restaurant in the city is probably Stella!, but prepare to spend $100+ per person and spend a couple hours there if you go.

If you want to venture outside of the Qtr and go to uptown, Brigtsen's and Dante's Kitchen and Jacque-Imo's are exquisite.

Late night, go to French Market Place for great live music with no cover charges - the street has several bars and you can go in and out of each cheaply.

Galley Boys are slop on top of a so-so burger and a bun you coulde get from a Covneninet food mart generic pack. They the Antoine Joubert of burgers; soft, sloppy, oozing grease and cheap sauce and extremely overrated by a biased fan base. Proof that if you throw enough cheap sauce shit on a burger you still can't overcome the lame burger. -JB

Port of Call has, no doubt, great burgers and I like that they serve potatoes instead of fries.

But if you only have one day to experience NOLA, better go elsewhere and somewhere closer to "the action" than Port of Call. The service sucks and expect to be there 90 minutes for just a simple lunch.

Some time ago I lived in NOLA, and used to know the city pretty well. Post Katrina, I have returned but once (OSU vs. LSU - ouch)and didn't stay very long. New Orleans is such a different place due to the enormous volume of tourists that it can distort the idea of "you must do this when you visit". It really depends on your temperment and idea of what's a good time. For example, I would never be caught dead in some of the classic tourist places - Pat O Brien's, almost anywhere on Bourbon and the Quarter in general, Jackson Square.........

But how can a first timer go to New Orleans and not experience those things? Impossible.

My only advice is to make sure you split your time between the touristy places in and around the Quarter and then other spots. Are you renting a car? If so, drive out St. Charles until it dead ends at Carrollton and have a snack at The Camillia Grill. Or better yet take the street car, as was suggested above. Many good off the beaten path places to eat along Magazine Street. Most of the restaurants I used to know are now long gone, but I would really suggest getting away from the Quarter if you can and try and eat where the locals eat. Cassementos, Joey K's and Surrey's Cafe, all on Magazine and reasonaly priced, have been featured on Diners Drive-Ins and Dives, FWIW.

I don't need to be patient, they're going to be shit forever. - CDT, discussing my favorite NFL team

Best to use taxis to get around. Parking in the Quarter is always an adventure. Snug Harbor on Frenchman's Street is a great jazz club. Late night, Maple Leaf Bar has live music--next door to Jacques-amo's on Oak St. near Tulane University. Cabbies will know it.

If you like Italian food, Mona Lisa's Restaurant on Royal St. is really good, too.

OldDawg wrote:How do you guys get around the area? Taxi to it and then walk? I hear parking is a nightmare? We rented a car but if we can't park anywhere, may not be too helpful when we want to stop somewhere.

My suggestion would be to park the car at the hotel and not bother with it again until you leave. Most places in the Quarter/Warehouse District are comfortable walking distance (Frenchman St. can be a bit of a hike though if you're starting from Canal or parts west of there). If you want to head down St. Charles, take a taxi or a streetcar (streetcar's a good way to see some of the houses).

Bourbon Street is the Times Square of New Orleans. If you like that sort of thing - fine. Personally, I avoid it like the plague. Walk up to it, look around, nod my head, and leave.

Hit Cafe du Monde for Beignets. Simple concept, great taste. Its amazing that s place with such a small menu can be considered one of the premier 'Cafes' in the country.

The Napoleon House was closed on Sunday, so we hit the Market Cafe to split a Muffaletta and a "Taste of New Orleans," which had Gumbo, Jumbalaya, Red beans and rice, and Shrimp Creole.

For such a short stay, I feel we hit a pretty good sampling of New Orleans dining. Almost went to Port of Call instead of Market Cafe. But we thought we can get a burger up north and we wanted to sample N.O. specialties.

Again, thanks to all of you for you suggestions. Had a great stay and you all were very helpful.

"The nose of the bulldog has been slanted backwards so that he can breathe without letting go." -- Winston Churchill

Drove down Bourbon St at 1:00 in afternoon. Have no desire to see what that place looks and smells like on Saturday night!!

Fixed it for ya!

Galley Boys are slop on top of a so-so burger and a bun you coulde get from a Covneninet food mart generic pack. They the Antoine Joubert of burgers; soft, sloppy, oozing grease and cheap sauce and extremely overrated by a biased fan base. Proof that if you throw enough cheap sauce shit on a burger you still can't overcome the lame burger. -JB